To Elehu's Homepage
Back to the Logs Page

1/30/2002
Logfile from Elehu
MOO Time: 2002-01-30 21:12:05

Beach (#5641)
Ancient dunes have been flattened by the endless parade of people and dragons that tramp northwest across the bowl, leaving a mere skiff of sand here along lake's beaten edge. Footprints litter the curve of beach, some left turns ago and caught frozen in the heavy clay earth near the water's edge. As the sun sets, shadows invade, creeping like fingers across the gently sloping ground and darkening the distant ledges on the far side of the lake.
To the north, dust rises from the redolent pens while the flattened disc of the main bowl is just a step to the northwest.
It is a summer afternoon.
Darting here and there are twelve firelizards.
Brown Zenzorath, blue Wiranth, blue Rhajath, blue Cerdith, and blue Zylpheth are here.
You see Atticus and Dry organic waste here.
Reiko and K'nex are here.
Obvious exits:
Stables --- Feeding Pens --- Central Bowl --- Lake

Reiko (#21442)
Jet black hair falls shiny and straight just to her chin, a fringe of shorter hair in front just brushing delicate brows. Her skin is creamy-pale, with just a faint blush on high cheekbones and full lips. Wide-set emerald eyes are tipped up slightly at the outside corners and framed with thick black lashes, giving her a vaguely feline appearance. Neither overly tall nor overly short, Reiko stands straight-shouldered with quiet confidence and moves with an easy, quiet grace.
Okay, it's not strictly speaking a uniform, but the colors are right. Skimpy black shorts hug Reiko's hips, cut off raggedly to reveal almost the entire length of her legs, creamy pale and shapely. A royal blue halter-type top is tied at the nape of her neck and between her shoulder blades.
Two cords, royal blue and black, intertwine in a single loop on her shoulder, the badge clearly identifying Reiko as an Inferno wingrider. A brilliant turquoise ribbon weaving around and about the cords proudly signifies her lifemate, blue Cerdith.
She is awake and looks alert.
Reiko is 22 Turns, 3 months, and 27 days old.

K'nex (#18707)
Tall now, there's just no way he can be considered average height anymore as he falls just short of towering over most people. Although this effect is dimished slightly by the stooped posture he's developed. Kez is still quite thin, and at this point his lanky-ness doesn't seem like it'll ever completely disappear. Despite the new active life he's leading, he's still an awkward lad, but there's strength in those long limbs now. Long, dark red hair, messy from being rarely brushed, is tied up in small, multiple braids around Kez's head. The braids themselves are decorated by small, emerald beads that perch almost at the end of each braid. The tiny beaded plaits fall down almost to his chin. His long, lightly freckled nose almost seems to fit in his face now, and the baby fat left over in his cheeks from his childhood has gone away, leaving him looking older than he acts. Dark green eyes peer out from under curving brows, always wary of the firelizard...or anything else threatening. His dusky tan skin is marred most obviously in one spot by a long, thin, white scar running down his upper left arm.
Rows upon rows of brass buttons decorate the front of leather jacket, following the edge of the tetragonal flap that covers the front of the riding jacket. Whenever this lappet on the jacket is hanging open in a lazy sort of way, insulation of tan fleece can be seen. The whole aviation jacket of supple hide falls loosely about his frame and is dyed a deep burnished rust hue. Bronze and cream highlights scuff about the tops of the shoulders and wisps of the same almost-metallic hue crawl around his waist to tuck firmly into a thick wherhide belt, deep ebon in color. When not on his hands, a pair of sepia colored wherhide gloves is often tucked into the back of this belt. Strapped tightly about his middle, buckle hidden by the front flap of the jacket, the wide belt is threaded through straps of canary yellow that are interjoined with lissom jodhpurs of the same striking hue. The smooth, creamy leather bunches slightly about his thighs and knees, though it tightens properly to slide tight into knee-high, midnight ebony boots that shine and gleam like the hide of a just-oiled dragon. A dull, flaking wingbadge with a painted wave on it, is worn with pride upon his right shoulder, denoting him to be a member of the Tsunami Wing.
A double corded knot with a long tail rests upon his shoulders. One cord is the blackest ebony, and the other is a deep navy blue. Finally, a rich brown ribbon, the color of K'nex's lifemate, is woven between the cords.
He is awake, but has been staring off into space for 2 minutes.
K'nex is 21 Turns, 4 months, and 12 days old.

Cerdith (#21101)
Vibrant versatility trumpets its fanfare of sapphire and aquamarine to herald this dragon: a wiry grace made flesh with the lithe, efficient lines of a dancer. Brighter blue illuminates the well-formed headknobs: a spotlight for the scherzo of aqua that tumbles the length of his slender neck and back and masques his wedge-shaped head. Turquoise elegance plucks the cobalt that strings his glassy 'sails and echoes darker in the strokes of midnight that chime along graceful spars and talon tips. His starlit tail is no curtain call, however, but an encore that continues life's dance.
Cerdith is 3 Turns and 9 days old.
He is 53 feet (17m) long, with a wingspan of 88 feet (29m).
Cerdith seems to be listening.

K'nex simply blinks at Reiko first, and then crosses his arms as he stands on the sand. What is it with people...Then he simply rolls his eyes- It has been a long day, hasn't it? He's not even blushing -and says, "Are you really serious?" Well, he remembers that sewing party, as much as he tries not to.

Elehu (#19619)
Elehu has grown into womanhood with quite a bit of success. She has curves in most of the right places, though her body is still a bit on the thin side and heartily built, a stubbornness of physicality to match the resolute bedrock of her character. Her skin glows faintly of golden bronze, the visage of a wanderer. Her rich brown, shoulder-length hair contains streaks of reddish gold, bleached by the sun, that seem to make her hazel-brown eyes shine with an inner fire. Her hands are small, but her fingers are slender and nimble, well built for her walk of life.
Snug leather pants cover Elehu's legs, neatly tucked into sturdy black boots, but the doe-brown material isn't quite so tight that it can't be rolled up from time to time. A belt of silver-touched onyx encircles her waist, and a slender dagger, about six inches in length, hangs at her right hip, with an odd sort of wherhide pouch at the left. Her loose blouse of rich emerald has been carefully and precisely tucked in, the roomy sleeves falling only a few inches past her shoulders. This combined with the small jewel like buttons down the front affords the Healer with quite a bit of freedom in movement. Perched on Elehu's shoulder is Aerie.
She is awake and looks alert.
Elehu is 22 Turns, 4 months, and 17 days old.

Reiko recognizes a 'no' when she sees it, but she only shrugs. "Have I ever lied to you?" she asks simply. There are times when it's worth pushing one's luck... she's not convinced that the dunking she took for this silly little rock is such an occasion. "If you'd rather not, that's fine." She straightens her shoulders and eyes him evenly, defiantly almost. And she wouldn't have noticed Elehu's approach at all except for Cerdith's warbled greeting... and the last of her resolve melts away. "Forget it," she breathes, turning to give Cerdith a scratch before facing the Healer with a pleasant smile.

Elehu slowly wanders out past the bowl and curves around towards the beach, a distracted expression on her face as she walks, head bent and hands clasped behind her. Her dark, hazel eyes sweep over the beach once, not quite taking note of anything until Cerdith's greeting. She misses a quick beat but uses the opportunity to change direction slightly, heading now towards the blue and both riders. "Hello there," she simply offers in a quiet voice, returning Cerdith's greeting plus Reiko's smile with one of her own.

"No," K'nex responds just as simply, but about then hears Cerdith's greeting and turns to see Elehu. Oh well, and Reiko almost got what she wanted. Unfortunantly, now there's a witness. "Erm, I'm going to go take this rock to Shirasuth now. I'm sure he'll appreciate your effort in finding it. And...we'll just consider this an IOU. Yeah." That decision made on his part, the brownrider smiles to Elehu on his way off the beach with a quick, "Hello...goodbye."

K'nex goes home.

Reiko stares after K'nex for just a moment, processing his words and coming up surprised. Which might explain the incredulous little halfsmile still on her lips when she turns again to Elehu... when her expression warms to a more usual smile. "Hi," she returns softly, emerald gaze flickering over the healer with an almost possessive appraisal. "I haven't seen you in ages, it seems... been busy?" Reiko has, of course -- and not just with propositioning brownriders. Which really isn't as bad as it probably looked, but she's already practically forgotten all about it.

"Yes, a little busy," Elehu answers as she watches K'nex depart before turning back to Reiko while crossing her arms loosely. She waits a moment or two while giving both Reiko and her lifemate an almost studious look, a bit of a curious expression on her face, though it might just be fatigue. "So, how have you two been?" she finally asks quietly.

Reiko takes a couple of steps closer to Ele, one hand tucking a chunk of wet hair behind one ear. "Quite well," she replies warmly, boldly reaching out to brush a few wisps of hair away from the healer's face. "How about you?" Cerdith ambles out of the water then, fanning his wings in a neutral direction to dry them a bit and settling himself in a sunny place to dry off a bit.

Elehu lets her arms fall to her sides again, but otherwise stands rather still while just quietly watching Reiko, then Cerdith. "That's good to hear," she answers quickly as she turns to the rider again with a likewise quick smile. "Oh, just busy. Healing and all," she offers as a bland answer, slender shoulders rolling in a small shrug. "I haven't been in the Weyr much lately... It's good to be home." The healer bites her lower lip softly as she gives Reiko an almost analytical look. "So, what have you been up to lately? We haven't had a chance to talk in ages, it seems."

Reiko doesn't blanch or flush at the analytical look she gets from Elehu, she definitely notices something not quite normal in the healer's behavior. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, standing quite close now. "So often our schedules don't really coincide... I hadn't realized you were traveling." She actually sounds sincere, emerald gaze not quite meeting the probing hazel. She rolls a shoulder. "Just the usual things. Sweeps. Falls." She looks up with a twisted little halfsmile. "I found a rock for K'nex." An unusual level of information to be volunteered... which sort of explains the odd little exchange that Elehu walked in at the end of.

"It's all right, it's not your fault," Elehu answers, a pleasant smile returning as she glances around for something nearby to sit on, but settles for a dry patch of sand instead, crossing her legs tightly as she leans over to pick up a random rock, eyeing it doubtfully before giving Reiko a softly amused smile. "A rock? Useful things, I'm sure. Except when they're stuck in your boot."

Reiko hesitates a moment as Elehu moves away yet again, finally settling for standing where she is, hands clasped loosely behind her back. She's nearly dry now, except for her hair. One shoulder rolls in a lazy half-shrug, and a light snort passes for a wry laugh. "It was shiny... and pink. I think Shirasuth collects them." Freeing one hand, she tucks the recalcitrant lock behind her ear yet again.

Elehu nods slowly as she gazes out over the lake for a long moment or two, a distracted look on her face. She rests her hands on her knees, though the fingers seem a bit tense as they press against the leather. "Dragons do seem to collect the oddest things," she finally comments, voice light as she squints up at Reiko, smiling gently. "Quite interesting sometimes. It even seems to extend to their riders now and then."

Reiko manages a careless tone. "Oh, you mean the way Dsalth collects people?" She arches a brow and finally comes around to sit next to Elehu, just a bit of distance between them still. She's never been one to pick up on undercurrents of meaning, and if her eyes were at a convenient angle to be seen clearly, confusion might be evident there. "I haven't noticed Cerdith collecting things," she adds quietly, emerald gaze turning to rest on the lightly dozing blue, his freshly-scrubbed hide sparkling almost silver in the afternoon sun.

Elehu takes a slow breath as she blinks softly into the sunlight off the lake, hand pulling her knees up to her chest as she leans forward and glances over at Reiko, a mildly abashed tint to her smile. "I'm sorry I haven't been around much," she finally says, voice gentle though her eyes are tight, her smile lacking its usual strength as she abandons the collection string of conversation.

Reiko turns her eyes back to Elehu, plainly trying without success to read the Healer. "You don't have to be sorry for that," she begins, wondering if there's perhaps more that Ele wants to say. She draws one knee up to her chest, resting one arm across it. "Is... something wrong?" A direct question is generally the best way to get a direct answer... right?

Elehu stares back at Reiko for a long moment, her eyes wide and unblinking before she briskly averts her gaze to watch the small waves on the water's edge. "No, I'm sorry, I'm just not myself today," she quickly answers before stopping just as quickly, lips pressing together as she takes another slow breath, her head giving a tiny shake before she turns once more to glance at the rider. "I've made too many assumptions over the Turns I've been here, and... I'm just not very sure of myself anymore." Not much of an explanation, but odd as it is, for the healer it seems to be enough, tension that hadn't even been apparent before gradually fading away as Ele relaxes bit by bit.

Reiko reaches with her near hand to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind Elehu's ear, the touch of her fingers as gentle as a breath of air. "I don't know what you mean," she murmurs, but she doesn't seem to be particularly bothered by the lack of understanding. She /can/ sense the healer beginning to relax, which tells her more than any words ever could.

Her gentle smile turns a little warmer as Elehu closes her eyes at Reiko's touch. "I don't always know what I mean either," she replies with a quiet little laugh, her voice much lighter than a few moments ago. "Sometimes I think I just need to admit what a very great fool I am before I can move on with life." She shrugs once again and leans back a little to touch Reiko's arm softly. "I've missed you, you know that?" she comments very softly, eyes intent but with a touch of tenderness.

Reiko's smile softens to something that could almost be called demure--if it were on any face but Reiko's. "I've missed you, too," she whispers, quite honestly. "And I don't think you're a fool at all." She draws back herself to catch Elehu's hand in hers, giving it a light squeeze. "Come and visit me tonight," she suggests softly, a hint of a question in her tone.

Elehu shakes her head at first as her fingers close around Reiko's. "No, I am really. But that's all right, I think, as long as I know I am." At the blue rider's suggestion, however, Ele glances up towards the many weyrs built into the rock face, blinking in surprise as sure enough, shadows are already covering most of the Weyr as the sun dips into the evening horizon. She starts to answer, but catches herself, her grip tightening slightly on Reiko's hand. "Yes, I think I'd like that," she finally replies, turning to the rider once again as her smile grows soft.

Reiko's emerald eyes clearly betray delight at the acceptance, and she returns the light squeeze as she carefully gets to her feet, mentally checking to be sure Cerdith isn't /really/ asleep over there in the sun. The blue lifts his head with a questioning warble, one faceted eye focusing on the pair for just a moment before he gets to his feet as well. "Come on then," Reiko whispers, drawing Ele to her feet. "It's a short enough hop." She'll let the subject of who's being a fool rest, for now, since it doesn't seem to be overly burdensome to the healer.

Elehu quickly gets to her feet with the help of Reiko, hesitating the merest second before heading towards Cerdith, not quite willing to let go of the rider's hand until absolutely necessary.

With the help of a handy strap and a gracefully extended forelimb, Reiko swings up onto Cerdith's neck and settles in comfortably.

With the help of a handy strap and a gracefully extended forelimb, you swing up onto Cerdith's neck and settle in comfortably.

Kicking up sand, you leap into flight.

Above the Lake
A panorama unfolds beneath: the bowl beaten flat as it curves out from the lake's chalky waters, dusky earth 'neath the endless stretch of sky above before the Weyr's spindles break the view. Milky blue-green waters swirl below, tempering the 'lizard filled air with gentle thermals that flow and eddy through the Walls' many cracks and crevices. Scattered ledges mark the nearby rocks, endless layers of Weyrs tucked into the wall as it sweeps right up to the Star Stones high above.
It is a summer evening.
Gliding around is Daolly.
Obvious exits:
Sky --- Beach --- Above the Pens --- Lake --- Above the Bowl --- Ledges

You soar in for a landing on Cerdith's ledge.
Cerdith's Ledge
Broad and spacious, this ledge might be fit for a queen except for a couple of disadvantages that become obvious only on closer inspection. The ledge itself is relatively shallow, probably really comfortable only for smaller dragons, although several could easily lounge abreast. Additionally, the opening of the weyr itself appears so small that even a good-sized blue would have trouble squeezing in -- an illusion caused by the shadow of a large outcropping of stone, actually, but daunting nonetheless.
It is a summer evening.
On the perch is Banzai.
Green Xeth is here.
Obvious exits:
Weyr --- Fly

You head into the weyr.
Cerdith's weyr
An outcropping of rock shelters this cavern from the worst of the winds off the lake, leaving an opening that some larger dragons would be hard-pressed to squeeze through. The weyr itself, however, is surprisingly spacious, vaulting upwards into mysterious shadowy recesses. A well-worn stone couch dominates the north wall; to the south, a worn tapestry shelters a small alcove where a modest cot stands, piled high with fresh rushes and warm sleeping furs. A bit deeper into the cavern, a small hearth interrupts the smooth planes of the south wall. Attempts have apparently been made recently to make the place a bit more homelike -- the hearth is well-tended now, adding warmth and light, and a large, comfortable-looking sofa sits in front of it.
The south wall has been completely covered by seemingly random brushstrokes. Close inspection merely frustrates the eye; but from even as far away as the sofa before the hearth, they merge to create a hazy, sundrenched image of a tropical island. Delicate frond trees almost seem to sway in an unfelt breeze, and one may almost hear the lush sapphire waters lapping against the shimmering white sands.
On the ledge, you see Xeth.
On the perch is Hanzatsu.
Obvious exits:
Ledge
Ducking your head a bit, you find yourself inside.

Cerdith extends a graceful forelimb as Reiko dismounts, easing her way safely to solid ground.

Cerdith extends a graceful forelimb as you dismount, easing your way safely to solid ground.

Xeth (#9393)
This scrawny sprig of a dragon is pungently pressed with rosemary's hue to mark her sharp-flavored, sharp-minded: she's a dusky, dusty green from the narrow slope of muzzle back along every slim inch of her sylph's frame. The same silver that showcases tail's every motion lines the underside of full, delicate wings and sparks mischief in her gaze; her dark side hints in the near-black that needles talons and neckridges with prickly, peppery bite.
Drawn across the spice of rosemary hide is the ripe sweetness of tangerine-bronze leather straps, hooked snug with gleaming brass buckles.
Xeth is 17 Turns and 12 days old.
She is 46 feet (15m) long, with a wingspan of 76 feet (25m).
Xeth seems to be listening.

Cerdith surprises Reiko just a bit by heading right into the weyr without pausing for his passengers to dismount, but she slips off his shoulder inside just as if it were perfectly normal to do so, reaching a hand back to assist Ele if needed. Cerdith curls himself up on his couch then, apparently still drained from the swim and the sun, and Reiko leads her guest to the couch in front of the hearth -- banked this time of Turn, of course, but still one of the cozier places in the weyr.

Elehu ducks instinctively as the blue dragon heads into the weyr before she slides from his shoulders with enough grace to suggest she's had a bit of practice, though she does reach for Reiko's outstretched hand once her feet land on the ground quietly. "Thank you, Cerdith," she offers the dragon in a soft murmur as he curls up on his own couch, then follows Reiko towards the hearth, slowly taking a seat as she quietly watches the rider.

Reiko settles into the sofa next to Elehu, still holding her hand loosely, arranging herself so she's more or less facing Ele. "I'm so glad you agreed to visit," she murmurs, lifting her free hand to caress the healer's cheek. "It's been much too long." Cerdith rumbles a sleepy acknowledgement of the thanks, his great eyes slowly lidding.

"Yes, much too long," Elehu agrees softly, the tiniest quaver to her voice as her head tilts a fraction to meet Reiko's caress. She begins to say something further but stops, instead smiling tenderly, her fingers giving the rider's a gentle squeeze once more as she encloses it with both hands while turning to face her. "Reiko," she finally says just over a whisper as she watches intently. "Have I ever told you how much you mean to me? Because I should have... and I won't ask that it's returned," she is quick to add as an almost apologetic light glimmers in her eyes. "I've come to know better. But I did want to tell you... that's all."

Reiko lets her hand relax in Elehu's light grasp, meeting the direct gaze evenly. At long last, she shakes her head... slowly. "I don't think so," she whispers, looking for a moment as if she's almost afraid to hear--but it passes like any illusion, so swiftly it could be questioned whether it was ever there at all.

Elehu frowns a little as the look on her face changes briefly to one of uncertainty. She glances down at her hands, their hands really, until finally letting go, her face carefully composed as she looks up at Reiko once more. "Well, I had to say it. All these Turns there's never been anyone else," she admits with a tiny flash of a grin, shoulders shrugging an inch or two. "But... that's my problem now, isn't it." She nods once to herself and turns to face forward, gazing into the dull hearth for a long moment.

Reiko looks down at her own hand then, as it's released and Ele looks away, and for a very long moment she's silent. Faced with a fact she'd never considered, and unsure what comes next. "Elehu... " Taking a deep breath, she reaches to gently redirect the healer's face, searching for those hazel eyes. "I do care about you," she whispers. "Very deeply." The fact that there have been other people she's cared about... on varying levels... doesn't seem to enter into this equation for her. "When we're together, there isn't anyone else. Ever." Everything has a place in Reiko's brain. Emotions. Responsibilities. People. Nothing touches anything else.

Elehu looks very much surprised at Reiko's response as she gazes into the rider's emerald eyes, her own becoming very bright for a flash of a moment before they begin to water ever so slightly though she blinks it away and simply gives Reiko a soft nod, her lips curving gently into a faint smile. She slides a little closer, enough to place her hand on Reiko's shoulder, her thumb caressing the rider's neck in a whispered touch. "Thank you, Reiko."

Reiko's eyes close momentarily at the gentle caress on her neck, then open again to gaze into the warm hazel brown of the healer's eyes. The fingers of one hand lace into Ele's soft hair, and Reiko leans closer, unable to resist a lingering and deeply sensual kiss. "Don't mention it," she whispers, drawing Elehu into her arms, a virtual promise of the closeness to follow.

[End of log]

To Elehu's Homepage
Back to the Logs Page